GDL 30/30A owner’s manual
© 2005, 2008 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Tel. (913) 397.8200 or (800) 800.1020 Fax (913) 397.8282 Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Liberty House Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK Tel. +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside the UK) 0808 2380000 (within the UK) Fax +44 (0) 870.8501251 Garmin Corporation No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan Tel. 886/2.2642.9199 Fax 886/2.2642.9099 All rights reserved.
Introduction The GDL 30/30A Marine Weather/Audio Satellite Receiver provides graphical and textual marine XM WX weather information to be viewed on your Garmin Marine Network chartplotters. Operation of the GDL 30 requires a subscription to the XM WX Satellite Weather service. Additionally, the GDL 30A offers music, news, and talk programming capability with a subscription to the XM Radio service.
Introduction Introduction............................................................................i Product terminology used throughout this manual . ........................ i Product Registration................................................................. i Important Numbers................................................................... i Serial number.................................................................................... i XM WX Weather ID........................................
Unit Overview Caring for the Unit The case is constructed of high-quality materials and does not require user maintenance, except cleaning. LED Status Indicator Cleaning the Case Clean the unit’s outer casing using a cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution and then wipe dry. Avoid chemical cleaners and solvents that may damage plastic components.
Installing and Activating the GDL 30/30A Installing and Activating the GDL 30/30A Step 1: Install the unit Use the GDL 30/30A Installation Instructions to make the appropriate wiring connections. Step 2: Set up the XM account Have your XM Weather ID ready (and XM Radio ID, if applicable). Contact XM Satellite Radio by phone at 800-985-9200. After providing the required information, the XM representative activates the account and sends out an XM signal to activate the GDL 30/30A.
Using XM WX Weather Using XM WX Weather This manual describes the use of XM WX Weather and XM Audio functions (GDL 30A only) on a GPSMAP 3000 Series chartplotter. If you have a GPSMAP 4000 or 5000 Series chartplotter, please use your chartplotter's Owner's Manual for instructions on using XM WX Weather and XM Audio. Preset Weather Displays Selecting a preset weather display There are three preset weather displays, General, Sea State, and Storms.
Using XM WX Weather Customizing the Preset Weather Displays The preset weather displays can be customized. Each preset has three subcategories: Precipitation, Atmosphere, and Sea Surface. Each category contains display settings for that topic. The name of the preset can be changed and any of the weather features can be selected for display. For detailed information on customizing the preset weather displays, please see the chartplotter’s Owner’s Manual.
The Weather Features The Weather Features Following is a brief description of each weather feature. The weather features are divided into three sub categories, Precipitation, Atmosphere, and Sea State. Precipitation The Precipitation category contains NEXRAD/Cloud Tops, Storm Cells, Lightning, and Hurricanes. Each feature can be turned on, off, or set to display at a selected zoom range. NEXRAD NEXRAD is an acronym for NEXt Generation Weather RADar.
The Weather Features Cloud Tops Cloud Tops displays the varying level of cloud tops in shades of gray. Cloud Tops can be displayed independently or with NEXRAD information.
Storm Cells The Weather Features The Storm Cells feature displays storms as well as the storm’s projected path in the immediate future. It also shows the size of the storm cell. The direction of the red cone indicates the projected path of the storm cell. The red bars that appear in the middle of the cone indicate where the storm will be in the future. Each bar represents 15 minutes. The red bars that appear in the middle of the cone in this storm indicate where the storm will be in the next hour.
The Weather Features Lightning Lightning strikes are represented by lightning bolt icons, as shown in the images below. Lightning appears on the map if strikes have been detected within the last seven minutes.
Hurricanes The Weather Features The Hurricanes feature shows the current position of a hurricane as well as its projected path (indicated by a red line). The darkened squares that appear (as in the examples in the left-hand column below) along the red line display the projected locations received from the National Hurricane Center. The Center provides four forecasts at 12-hour intervals as well as a fifth forecast at a 24-hour interval.
The Weather Features Atmosphere The Atmosphere category contains Wind, Pressure, Visibility, Fronts and City Conditions. Each feature can be turned on, off, or set to appear at a selected zoom range. Wind The Wind feature displays wind speed and direction. Wind direction is indicated by a circle with a wind barb. The circle points into the wind with the barb as a tail. Wind speed is indicated by different flags attached to the barb.
The Weather Features Pressure This feature displays pressure isobars and pressure centers on the chartplotter’s map. The isobars connect points of equal pressure. Pressure readings can help determine weather and wind conditions in an area. High pressure areas are generally associated with fair weather. Low pressure areas are generally associated with clouds and the chance of precipitation. Isobars that are packed closely together show a strong pressure gradient.
The Weather Features Visibility Visibility is the maximum horizontal distance that can be seen. Isobars on the Visibility feature show a change in visibility. In the example below, visibility ranges from .5 miles to 3 miles. This image shows NEXRAD, Cloud Tops, and Visibility. Displaying multiple features may help to provide a clearer picture of the weather conditions in the area.
The Weather Features Fronts The Fronts feature displays the lines indicating the leading edge of an air mass that is replacing another. This feature also displays pressure centers. Pressure centers are represented by a large Red “L” for low pressure centers or a large Blue “H” for high pressure centers. Pressure centers represent an area where pressure is measured to be either the highest or lowest relative to the surrounding area.
The Weather Features City Conditions This feature displays the current weather conditions at selected cities throughout North America. The current weather condition for an area is depicted by an icon.
The Weather Features Sea Surface The Sea Surface category contains Temperature, Wave Height, Wave Period, and Wave Direction. Each feature can be turned on, off, or set to display at a selected zoom range. Temperature The Temperature feature displays the water’s surface temperature. The temperature breaks are indicated by isobars. Wave Height The Wave Height feature displays wave heights. The wave heights for an area are separated by isobars.
The Weather Features Wave Period The Wave Period feature provides the time (in seconds) between successive waves. Wave Direction The Wave Direction feature shows the direction in which a wave is moving, as indicated by the direction of the red arrow.
Main Menu Main Menu Weather Tab The GDL 30/30A provides current weather conditions, forecast information, and sea surface information from the weather center nearest to your present location or a location selected using the Find Information Page. To display the Weather tab, press and hold the ADJ/MENU key to display the Menu Menu. Using the ROCKER, highlight the Weather tab. Five sub tabs are available: Current, Forecast, Sea Surface, Forecast Map, and Setup.
Main Menu Forecast The Forecast sub tab includes two panels that display forecast information for the location selected in the Current sub tab. The top panel displays the high/low temperature, chance of precipitation, and weather condition (cloudy, sunny, thunderstorms). The number of days that appear in this panel depend on the data available from the responding weather service center. If more than four days of forecasts appear, use the ROCKER to move down the list.
Sea Surface Main Menu The Sea Surface sub tab provides weather data of specific importance to mariners. This data comes from a variety of data sources that are nearest to your current or selected location. If a condition field is empty, data for that condition is not currently available.
Main Menu Forecast Map The Forecast Map sub tab displays Fronts, High and Low Pressure Centers, and City Conditions. The map zoom range can be changed using the Range keys. There are three icons at the top of the map. These icons are used to show or play the forecast conditions for the next 48 hours.
Setup Main Menu The Setup sub tab provides access to the three preset weather displays: General, Sea State, and Storms. The preset weather displays can be customized from this tab. The Setup tab contains a map that displays any changes that are made. Legends for all weather conditions are also shown. For detailed information on customizing the preset weather displays, see the chartplotter’s Owner’s Manual.
Main Menu XM Tab To display the XM tab, press and hold the ADJ/MENU key to display the Menu Menu. Using the ROCKER, scroll through the tabs and highlight the XM tab.The XM tab contains two sub tabs, Audio and Information. The Audio sub tab is used to tune and customize the XM Radio feature (only available on GDL 30A). The Information sub tab contains the Radio ID numbers and information about the XM service being received.
Main Menu Information The Information sub tab contains the Weather and Audio Radio ID Numbers that are needed to subscribe to XM Service. Your XM Weather Service Level and a list of Weather Products that are being recieved appear here as well. These weather products determine and display the weather information on the chartplotter. The Radio ID numbers are required when setting up the XM service. Copy these numbers and have them available before contacting XM.
Appendix Appendix Weather-Related Broadcast Rates Blink Codes The GDL 30/30A turns on and off when the chartplotter to which it is connected is turned on or off. The two-color (Green/Red) Status LED on the GDL 30/30A indicates the current operational status of the module. Codes are: Green blinking, on for 1 second, off for 1/2 second (slow blink) Status: GDL 30/30A is on and is receiving an XM signal. Red blinking, on for 1/10 second, off for 1/10 second (very fast blink) Status: System alarm.
GDL 30/30A Specifications Physical Size: 63/4" L x 43/4" W x 2.00" H (17.2 cm x 12.1 cm x 5.1 cm) Weight: 1.5 lbs. (.680 kg) Case: Fully gasketed, high-impact plastic and aluminum alloy, waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 Temp Range: 5°F to 158°F (-15°C to 70°C) Power Source: Usage: Fuse: 10-35 Vdc 18 watts max AGC/3AG - 2.0 Amp Data Output Source: Proprietary Garmin data format.
Appendix Product Safety and Regulatory Information The GPS system is operated by the United States government, which is solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. The system is subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although the Garmin GDL 30/30A is a precision electronic NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted and, therefore, become unsafe.
Software Appendix Software Versions The GDL 30/30A is designed to work with software version 2.0 and higher on the GPSMAP 3005C/3006C/3010C. See the chartplotter Owner’s Manual for instructions on determining the chartplotter software version. Visit our Web site at www.garmin.com/support/download.jsp for software updates (excluding map data). Software License Agreement BY USING THE GDL 30/30A, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT.
Appendix Limited Warranty This Garmin product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Within this period, Garmin will at its sole option repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost.
Index A atmosphere 10 audio 22 audio radio ID number 23 B blink codes 24 broadcast rates 24 C check antenna 22 city conditions 14 cloud tops 6 contact XM satellite radio 2 current 17 current submenu tab 17, 20 customizing the preset weather displays 4 F FCC 27 forecast 18 forecast map 20 forecast submenu tab 18 fronts 13 fronts map 13 H high pressure center 13 hurricanes 9 hurricanes map 9 I introduction i isobars 11 L legend 21 lightning 8 lightning bolt icons 8 low pressure center 13 M main
For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of your Garmin products, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com. © 2005-8 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK Garmin Corporation No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan www.garmin.com Part Number 190-00336-00 Rev.
